CompTIA A+ Core 2 Practice Questions: Software Troubleshooting

25 free, exam-style CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) practice questions covering Software Troubleshooting. Each question shows the correct answer and a clear explanation. Ready for the real thing? Take the full timed quiz below.

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Q1. Which command in Windows displays and clears secure channel credentials (test trust with domain)?

Explanation: nltest /sc_verify:<domain> tests the secure channel to a domain controller. Learn more.

Q2. If a Windows system fails to boot and you suspect corrupted system files, which sequence is recommended?

Explanation: Boot into Safe Mode or WinRE command line, run SFC to repair system files, then DISM to fix the component store. Learn more.

Q3. Which Windows tool shows application crash events, driver failures, and system errors?

Explanation: Event Viewer logs detailed application, system, and security events that help diagnose failures. Learn more.

Q4. When an Android app consistently crashes, which built-in mode helps you diagnose if it’s caused by a third-party app?

Explanation: Android Safe Mode loads only system apps, letting you test if a third-party app is the culprit. Learn more.

Q5. Which iOS feature lets you view crash logs to troubleshoot a misbehaving app?

Explanation: Settings → Privacy → Analytics & Improvements → Analytics Data shows crash logs for apps. Learn more.

Q6. A user reports intermittent slow logons and desktop loads in Windows. Which of these is the BEST first step?

Explanation: Reviewing startup programs in Task Manager’s Startup tab can reveal apps delaying logon. Learn more.

Q7. Which Windows feature allows you to revert installed applications and drivers if a recent install caused instability?

Explanation: System Restore can revert changes to applications and drivers by rolling back to a restore point. Learn more.

Q8. A Windows PC shows a PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA BSOD. Which component is LEAST likely to cause this error?

Explanation: PAGE_FAULT errors are often due to bad memory, drivers, or disk issues. Browser cookies do not cause kernel‐level page faults. Learn more.

Q9. Which command clears the DNS cache on a modern Ubuntu system using systemd-resolved?

Explanation: resolvectl flush-caches (or systemd-resolve --flush-caches) clears the DNS cache when using systemd-resolved. Learn more.

Q10. Which Windows utility is commonly used to inspect application and system logs?

Explanation: Event Viewer displays Windows logs that help diagnose application, security, and system issues. Learn more.

Q11. Which command checks protected Windows system files and replaces corrupted copies when possible?

Explanation: System File Checker scans protected system files and repairs detected integrity problems. Learn more.

Q12. A suspicious process is consuming CPU in Windows. Which tool is the quickest place to end it?

Explanation: Task Manager displays running processes and allows a technician to end an unresponsive or suspicious process. Learn more.

Q13. Which Windows boot option loads minimal drivers for troubleshooting?

Explanation: Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services to help isolate software problems. Learn more.

Q14. Which symptom most strongly suggests a failing storage drive?

Explanation: SMART warnings and repeated read errors indicate possible drive failure and should trigger backup and replacement planning. Learn more.

Q15. A Windows application crashes every time it opens. Where should a technician look for crash details?

Explanation: Application crash events are commonly recorded in Windows Event Viewer application logs. Learn more.

Q16. Which Windows utility manages startup applications in modern Windows versions?

Explanation: Modern Windows Task Manager includes a Startup tab for enabling or disabling startup apps. Learn more.

Q17. A user reports that their computer is running extremely slowly and the fan is constantly at high speed even when idle. Which tool would help identify the cause?

Explanation: Task Manager and Resource Monitor show real-time CPU, memory, and disk usage, helping identify runaway processes or malware consuming resources and causing the fan to run constantly. Learn more.

Q18. A user's web browser keeps redirecting to unwanted websites and showing excessive pop-up ads. What is the most likely cause?

Explanation: Browser redirects and excessive pop-ups are classic symptoms of adware or a browser hijacker, often installed alongside free software, which should be removed with anti-malware tools. Learn more.

Q19. Which built-in Windows tool can be used to perform a clean boot to troubleshoot software conflicts?

Explanation: System Configuration (msconfig) allows technicians to disable non-Microsoft startup services and programs temporarily, isolating software conflicts during a clean boot. Learn more.

Q20. A browser starts redirecting searches immediately after a new extension was installed. What should the technician do first?

Explanation: The timing strongly implicates the extension. Disabling it stops the likely source, and an anti-malware scan checks for related unwanted software. Learn more.

Q21. A Windows computer enters a boot loop immediately after a quality update. Which recovery option is the most targeted first action?

Explanation: Removing the latest quality update directly reverses the change that triggered the boot loop while preserving applications and user data. Learn more.

Q22. An application crashes for one Windows user but works for every other account on the same computer. What is the most likely cause?

Explanation: When an application works for other accounts, the installation and core system are functional. Per-user settings or profile data are the likely fault domain. Learn more.

Q23. Every HTTPS website suddenly reports that its certificate is not yet valid. What should be checked first?

Explanation: TLS certificate validation depends on the system clock. A substantially incorrect date or time can make valid certificates appear outside their validity period. Learn more.

Q24. A workstation reaches websites by IP address but not by host name. Which setting should be investigated first?

Explanation: Successful IP connectivity with failed name-based access points to DNS resolution rather than a general network outage. Learn more.

Q25. A Windows PC becomes unresponsive and Task Manager shows one process consuming nearly all available memory. What is the best immediate action?

Explanation: Ending the runaway process restores resources. The application should then be updated, repaired, or monitored to identify the cause of the memory leak. Learn more.

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